Keeping the blogosphere posted on the goings on of the world of submarines since late 2004... and mocking and belittling general foolishness wherever it may be found. Idaho's first and foremost submarine blog. (If you don't like something on this blog, please E-mail me; don't call me at home.)

With only a 7-20% chance of being selected as a media platform, how has the USS Rhode Island become the Navy's favorite star. How could such extracurricular activities not interfere with her primary deterrent duties?

No complaints about the choice of sub, just wondering since my prediction appears, for the moment, to have been wrong.

I'm not sure how a particular boat becomes the media star. When I was on Topeka, it sure seemed like we had more than our share of media availabilities -- Sharks of Steel, and later an appearance on 24 after I was gone. Likewise, when I was on USS John C. Stennis, she seemed to be the go-to carrier for public relations (JAG filmed there), but that was probably because they were the newest carrier closest to Hollywood.

Well, for some of us old dogs who rode 608 and 640 class back in the day, other than nuts bolts and washers, EVERYTHING has changed. I recognized the fruit on the mess decks! I qualified on the drive and dive on 610(G) in '79. I was a MT on 657(B). Wow! Culture shock!

They always do movies like this on tridents, and make it look like the attack boats are the same way. Everybody looks so well rested and calm because they have something like 1 in 5 watch and once-a-week in-port duty, if not on off-crew entirely.

I was in the next to last SOBC (Class 145, graduated in July 69). My first boat was USS Medregal (AGSS-480), a fleet snorkel where I was Supply Officer. Didn't have staff copr officers on diesel boats. My next boat was USS Catfish (SS-339) where I was Assistant Engineer. My third boat was USS Thomas Jefferson (Gold) (SSBN- 618) as Weapons Officer. My bona fides over I'll turn to a few things. By the way, I'm not a nuke.

This is an excellent depiction of the submarine force as it exists today. That said, it isn't a very different submarine force of my past.

Some things never change, e.g., sound powered phones. Look like like the same phones I used in the '60s.

Some things do change. The displays are very different than what we had in then, but the arrangement is the same. The OOD was in the same spot as I was, the same for all the others involved in ship control. We'll not go to maneuvering - no need to.

The training of the crew and their dedication to their ship come through.

All-in-all an excellent program. For the submariners on my list, much will be a reminisce. For others it is a very useful and instructive introduction to how the US submarine force fits together.

That said, there is an underlying theme, that is women in the submarine force. This is a very difficult question for me. Having lived through the introduction of women into surface ships and, watching from afar, the problems that caused, I'd say, you don't know what you're getting into.

You can find secret places on a surface ship to do what you want. On a submarine there are no such places. Not shown in the video is the total lack of privacy you have on a submarine. I've had several medical procedures in the past decade that involved, umm, stuff. The nurses and techs said they were trying to preserve my personal privacy. I tell them, I'm a submariner - I'm comfortable with no privacy. (I could tell you some stories I heard from my WWII submarine teachers, would raise a modern's hair).

Trivia--I've got to go with Houston as well. The one we did coming off our Westpac in 1989 was a steeper angle and the pics are all taken of the starboard side.

Seems like the ones who are most famous are more than likely the most NOTORIOUS. I never envied those poor bastards on Houston, Helena, Greenville, et al. I guess I was of the mind that NOT drawing attention to yourself was a good thing, because any you DID draw to yourself would almost certainly be bad.

About Me

I'm Joel Kennedy -- a married, 50-something year old retired submarine officer and esophageal cancer survivor with three kids who has finally made the transition to civilian life. Politically, I'm a Radical Moderate. (If you don't like something on this blog, please E-mail me. Don't call me at home.)